StickiestSituation

RainpoursdownontheAustraliangrasslands.Itsoakstheground.Soon,themudstartstomove.Insectscomeouttolookforfood.Acrucifixfrogdigsherwaytothesurface.Thecross-shapedpatternonherbackstandsout.Thehungryinsectsspotherand attack.


Luckily,thisfroghasaspecialadaptation.Sheletsoutstickygooonherskin.Theinsectsgetstuck!Whensheshedsherskin,sheeatstheskinalongwiththe insects.

DeadliestDrool

Ayellowribbonflicksintheair.Itisaforkedtongueattachedtothedroolingmouthofa3meter‑ (10foot‑) longlizard.ThisKomododragonisonthehuntin Indonesia.

AKomododragon’sdroolisfullofbacteria.Itcan kill.

Komodoshavedevelopedextremeadaptationsforhunting.Theirtongueshelpthemtastetheairtofindprey.Theirstrong,jaggedteethtearthroughlargeanimals,likewaterbuffalo.Butit’sthedroolthatisthedragons’secret weapon.


Komododragonmouthshavemorethan50kindsofbacteria.Atleastsevenkindsaredeadly!Komodosalsohavevenomintheirsaliva.Itstopsthevictim’sbloodfromclotting.JustonebitefromaKomodosendspoisonintoawound.A Komodofollowsitspreyandwaitsforthevenomto work.

SpeediestSucker

Awormwigglesoveracoralreef.Apassingfishswimstowardit.Intheblinkofaneye,thefishissuckedintothemouthofa frogfish.

Gulp!

Frogfishhavethreeapproachestohunting.First,theyaremastersofdisguise.Somelooklikerocksorsponges.Theyblendinsowell,passingfishdonotsee them.


Second,frogfishhavebuilt-infishingpoles.Theyhavelongspinesthatlooklikewormsontopoftheirheads.Theywigglethemtolure fish.


Third,frogfishcaninflatetheirbodiestomakethemmuchlarger.Thiscreatespressure.Theyuseittosuckinpreylikeavacuum cleaner.

Afrogfish’svacuum-likemouthcansuckin prey.